Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has ordered the recall of the anti-inflammatory drug Novartis AG’s Prexige. TGA decided on the recall after the medication was linked to two deaths. Claiming to be the first country to issue the recall, the TGA based their decision on a review of eight cases that resulted in severe liver damage. Of the eight cases, two people died and two required liver transplants. "As a result of those case reports we have taken this straight to our drug safety committee who met yesterday," said Rohan Hammett, the TGA's principal medical adviser.
Prexige is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory, a Cox-2 inhibitor, in the same class as Vioxx. Merck voluntarily recalled Vioxx in 2004 due to negative health reactions from patients.With Novartis’ full support, the TGA is recommending that those taking Prexige seek out alternative medication.
More information on the TGA’s recall.
» Canada Recalls Prexige from Market from PharmaGazette
Health Canada announced today that it has stopped all sales of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.'s sale of the anti-inflammatory drug, Prexige.The cancellation of market authorization comes due to the risk of liver related illness such as h... [Read More]
Tracked on: October 4, 2007 2:47 PM | Permalink to Trackback